With a month to go in the regular season, the Chico State women's basketball team finds itself in the upper reaches of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. Natalie Valenzuela continues to be a big part of the Wildcats' success, and whether it was on the offensive or defensive end, the Saugus product once again provided healthy contributions in the 'Cats' two home games against UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos. Valenzuela's all-around efforts make her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Valenzuela averaged 13 points against the Tritons and Cougars, netting nearly 48 percent of her field goal attempts (11-for-23). She was 2-for-4 from beyond the 3-point arc, while also grabbing a combined 10 rebounds and blocking four shots to help Chico State improve to 12-5 on the season and stay tied for third place in the CCAA with a 9-5 conference record.
Valenzuela scored a team-high 15 points Thursday against No. 4 UC San Diego, adding four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots to her stat line, making her just the fifth player in the program's history with 100 career blocks. Saturday against Cal State San Marcos, Valenzuela tallied 11 points, six rebounds (matching her season high), and blocked two more shots in the Wildcats' come-from-behind 63-58 victory over the Cougars.
Valenzuela is averaging 10.3 points a game this season, and her 25 blocked shots ranks sixth among CCAA players.
The Wildcats and Humboldt State Lumberjacks battle for sole possession of third place in the CCAA Saturday at Acker Gym. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
